changegrowlive.org Reviews 

One size fits all. Absolutely waste of money. Only for people with very mild addiction issues and minor mental health issues.
Anyone with complex needs and severe withdrawal you are left to die. No links with a&e no option for emergency detox even with hallucinations.
If only we have the American or European system - imagine being able to get life saving medical treatment without proving ‘you want it bad enough’ by jumping through hoops for months. When your very condition makes those hoops impossible.
Dehumanising service it should be scrapped and handed back to the NHS.

Me, a man In his late 50's was ill so I phoned up and told them. I'm now being PUNISHED for being ill. MY PUNISHMENT is I have to walk a 15 mile round trip ever week to get my script. This is no way fair.
IM BEING PUNISHED FOR BEING ILL.
RIDICULOUS RULE MADE BY PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BULLY VULNERABLE OLD PEOPLE.
SHAME ON YOU.

O0I was on weekly pickup always as I was in full time work never failed a test never missed an appointment and they changed me to daily supervision with no pre warning after over 2 years since that day I never went back I stopped medication and went through 4 months of severe withdrawal and still feel it a year plus later, if I wasnt so intent to prove their service was worse than drug dealing and was strong about it I would have went and scored the second the chemist said I was on daily pickup, even management couldn't give me a straight answer on why it was changed, I was like a cgl perfect customer I stayed clean and worked a good office job and always engaged with them and they basically threw me to the wolves

Also asked multiple times for my medication to be changed as it has rotted out my back teeth, knowing I could be on a methadone pill instead of sublingual, now il have to go to Turkey

If I could give less than one star I would I reached out to CGL Coventry for help completed form said was prescription medication only then to phone me for a triage appointment to be told we can’t help after all as it’s prescription medication it’s a disgrace having told other people what there response was they also agreed crazy I mean what are they actually there for and do they know how much to takes to reach out and ask for help it’s a disgrace

I've an next excellent keyworker.Marlene white , she is brilliant and she really tries hard , and you must remember there's millions of us all they can do is their best

Dreadful place. I’ve been with other services over the years but this lot are awful. Give you a Keyworker but then get told you don’t have appointments with them. Only groups are available, there aren’t clients trying to get clean who feel confident enough to go to a group. Ive been with them since April and ivd had no support. I’ve emailed asking for 1-2-1’s but they won’t do it. Ive been put on a script anf just left. I want to stay clean but theres no support. My nurse prescribed was good, thats yhe only good thing about them. Ive requested a new Keyworker twice snd Ive been told that they are too busy and I have to fit in with there work schedules. Im sorry, they are supposed to be here for us not the other way round. Don’t bother coming here, you won’t get any support! They are the worst ‘recovery’ service ever (and Ive been with 4!)

My doctor was found liable of medicql negligence, told me to use street drugs to manage a dependency, lied about it, only reason i give it 2 stars is because after a year they were found liable and corrected the mistake, also had problems with dodgy workers lying about guidlines, or altering my scripts coincedently after the doctor got into trouble to make my life harder, if you go to cgl make sure you get a good doctor eho follows all the rules, dont let them gaslight you, read guidlines and if they dont follow escalate it, i was going to let it go untill i was punished further after complaining by altering my pick up days for no reason, be careful they are 50 50, depends where you are in england, some are very polite and nice, some have a ex addict superiproty complex and hate it when you knpw ur rights

I am writing this review because my experience with Camden CGL / Change Grow Live has left me deeply distressed, mistrustful, and concerned about how vulnerable clients are treated when they raise serious complaints.

For nearly a year, I have been trying to get clear answers about records, restrictions, staff wording, and decisions made about me. I have accepted my own mistakes where appropriate, but I do not accept being misrepresented, left under unclear assumptions, or treated through a damaging narrative without clear evidence.

In my experience, Camden CGL has repeatedly shifted focus back onto the client’s reactions instead of properly addressing the service’s own mistakes, unclear records, poor communication, and decision-making. This has made me feel that when staff conduct is challenged, the situation is turned back onto the client rather than being addressed openly.

A major concern is that false or unclear information appears to have been used in relation to me, including information about another borough/service. This information contributed to how I was viewed. I have now been told that Robert, a senior staff member involved in the matter, is willing to apologise, but I still have not received clear written accountability explaining exactly what he is apologising for, how the incorrect information affected me, why it was not corrected earlier, or what has been done to put the record right.

My concerns are not only about Robert. Dr Kostas, a senior clinician/doctor, was also involved in the meeting, the wording used about me, and the later investigation response. His role still has not been clearly addressed. I am concerned that accountability is being narrowed onto Robert while Dr Kostas’s involvement in the wider decision-making, wording, and investigation response remains unclear.

I also contacted Sundeep Thandi, Services Manager for Tower Hamlets and Interim for Camden, believing her involvement would provide greater independence from Camden CGL. I repeatedly raised concerns about Camden CGL involvement. However, during a later phone call, I was asked whether I was somewhere private, but I was not told at the start that the call was being conducted from Camden CGL with a Camden CGL Recovery Co-ordinator physically present in the room. This was only confirmed after I asked directly.

Given my repeated concerns about Camden involvement, I do not accept that this was irrelevant. This has seriously damaged my trust in the review process. It also raises serious concerns about transparency, independence, and whether Camden CGL remained involved in a process I believed was meant to be more separate and fair.

I have been told that some records were updated or that restrictions were lifted, but I still do not feel I have received clear answers showing exactly what was changed, when it was changed, who had access to my records, and whether unsupported assumptions about me were fully removed. In my view, the reasons and explanations have shifted over time, and only after nearly a year am I beginning to receive small pieces of acknowledgement.

I have now submitted a Subject Access Request because I need to understand what was written about me, who had access to my records, what information was relied upon, and whether people I complained about continued to have access to or influence matters relating to me after I had clearly raised concerns.

This whole process has caused significant emotional distress and has damaged my trust in future rehabilitation support. I do not feel the handling has been transparent, trauma-informed, or fair.

In my view, this matter now needs a fuller independent senior review outside Camden CGL and outside anyone previously involved. Vulnerable clients should not have to fight for nearly a year just to get clear answers about records, restrictions, mistakes, and staff conduct.

After so many empty promises from Branches E17, my friend was moved against his will to an area he didn’t know miles away from his support network totally isolated. No surprise to find he rapidly declined but not to worry “CGL would support him for 6 months over the phone”!
Needless to say when we exhausted every other means of charitable help for a detox program we were referred back to CGL who said “we can’t help, he’s not in our area”.
You can’t make it up.

This is literally the worst possible service imaginable. They don't care about their clients AT ALL. I will get faster to morgue than get any help from these useless brats.

I feel so let down. I’d been to be GP about my alcoholism and met with judgement and disdain. They told me to self-refer to CGL in Morecambe which I did. I spoke to a lovely person on the phone who made me feel there was hope. My first visit felt positive but my blood pressure was high which meant that I wasn’t allowed to try a community detox. When I went to my final appointment a few months later, my blood pressure was still high. I felt judged and they weren’t prepared to help at all. Now where do I turn? It was hard enough to ask for help in the first place. I’m still struggling now and continuing to feel so ashamed. I can’t afford a private detox. I’m left desperate.

Apparently the medical “specialist” at CGL believes that my increased anxiety after decades long doctor prescribed benzodiazepines usage and current tapering are due to an underlying mental health condition and NOT the result of the Clonazepam tapering. NICE disagrees.

I have never felt SO disappointed and disrespected by a medical “organization” in my entire life. How on earth is this place even publicly funded?!! Absolutely disgusting and shameful. UNPROFESSIONAL TO THE MAX.

Avoid avoid avoid!!!

Absolutely shocking service ... They help no1...Just tick boxes to please the already struggling councils...
They ignore and treat people like an adict ..
No humanity..No mental health support ... They need an utter re-vamp because people are dying begging for help when they do NOTHING....
My key worker hates me and would rather see me unalived than help me...Shocking service...

I was assulted by a member of a user i was so upset no support from the staff it was brushed under the carpet i left early the staff that get paid dont want to be there supporting other addicts im speaking out aginst corina and craig unacceptable behaviour talking about unacceptable stuff

This company has performed far below my expectation, The overall process is poor and my special vote of thanks goes directly to the award winning SPACE BANK, which i wish i had come across more earlier . I'm a better person today in all ramifications just because of them .

Have been seeing my keyworker trevor for 6 months now at romford cgl services
Im a recovering addict and suffering with severe mental health problems on top of this. Trevor has taken his time and even spoken to me outside working hours.
I have committed suicide before and died twice in the process leading to a month in hospital in icu after being resuscitated.
Trevor continued to work with me and after his advice Im sober since after that one lapse and his got me to reach out to mental health resulting in me being put in a wellhouse under mental health and addressing my underlying issues including therapy and correct medication.
Out of all my mental health experience the past 10 years he has helped me more in 6 months than anyone ive ever met. I honestly believe if it wasnt for him I wouldnt be here. His also helped my mum go to groups for recovering addicts in the family. If it wasnt for him I wouldnt be sober now and if in doubt still alive.
Im hoping this gets noticed so he gets the credit he deserves. He is now a true friend of mine.
If you commit yourself to these workers they will save you from your darkest moments
Much love
Scott jarvis

Over half an hour wait with no update and plenty of staff drifting through reception, but all that is forgivable. It was the aggression another visitor was dealt when simply asking how long he'd have to wait for a prescription (which he'd visited, phoned and emailed multiple times for and was under time constraints to pick up that evening). The receptionist was overly defensive and disrespectful because they hadn't listened to a simple and quite justified question. As I say, pretty shocked by the whole experience, as a first time visitor.

I have been in and out of active addiction for over 40 years and been a service user for almost as long... I've had relationships with many health care professionals good and bad which is why i feel i must write a review for CGL CAMDEN.

First of all when i heard the Margaret Centre was closing i was shocked and sad as i had had some very good relationships with the staff there. Lisa Scott-Thomas my Care Manager and my Drug Worker Louise were outstanding as professionals and very supportive on a 1-1 level. I had heard that CGL were taking on their clients, over 700 of them which I was sure was going to be a logistical nightmare! I'd heard that CGL were already having teething problems with the rapport with some of their clients...
This however was not my personal experience. Although I have had a few different Drug Workers I have been with Anandhu for a while now. Despite not having access to my phone for a while we still managed to see each other often enough to create a good rapport. This means he knows what's going on in my life. As he asked a lot of the right questions I found myself talking to him openly and honestly. He made me feel comfortable enough to discuss most things going on in my life.. Anandhu sourced benefit advice for me which is ongoing and referred me to the team involved with accessing voluntary work. Going back to work is a big thing but now that I have been stable for quite a while voluntary work is the first step to getting back into full time employment which is really exciting. It's about trusting in the process i guess...
Recently I had some bad news about my parents' health so I had to go home for a while. Anandhu made the whole process seamless. To make that happen at such short notice meant he had to liaise with other departments and colleagues yet it was done without any problems or setbacks. I was so grateful for this having so many other things to cope with at the time.
All in all CGL CAMDEN especially Anandhu have gone above and beyond any expectations I might have had of them. This contemporary purpose built building has more facilities than you can shake a stick at! Everything from computer awareness and IT classes to acupuncture. All of the departments work together to treat the client as a whole.. i can't say enough good things about them. they have treated me as an adult in addiction with understanding and respect. That goes a long way with me, like I said seamless, well almost! ;]
Thank you CGL, thank you Anandhu... I think having the right Drug Worker makes a big difference to someone's progress in treatment and Anandhu has definitely helped me!
Best wishes
Debbie Austin-Green

I was expecting call from cgl, they call me about 4 seconds, I was in noise place and run outside to pick up the phone. It was 4 seconds! Than they said they call me again, but no response. I need help, but there’s no help even from rehab centre. I don’t understand how they work like this, this is not help, you make people more vulnerable.

Obviously I can only write about my own experience with CGL and this is a fair and very accurate assessment of the care and support that I have received and am continuing to do so. I referred myself due to alcohol dependency. From a 2 hour assessment with Davina my key worker, Louise who sometimes stood in when Davina wasn't around(on holiday) the incredible nurses, Isaac behind reception, Mark, a wonderful volunteer who helped me so much by sharing his personal experiences which really kept me going and lastly the incredible Andy. I'm actually crying as I write this. Not out of sadness but out of sheer gratitude for these aforementioned people who I feel have literally saved my life. They don't just dump you onto the street after your detox. The after care is amazing and nothing is ever too much trouble. I could not recommend Bromley CGL enough. Guys and girls I cannot thank you enough.